naumachia

[ naw-mey-kee-uh ]

/ nɔˈmeɪ ki ə /

Save This Word!

noun, plural nau·ma·chi·ae

[naw-mey-kee-ee], /nɔˈmeɪ kiˌi/, nau·ma·chi·as.

a mock sea fight, given as a spectacle among the ancient Romans.

a place for presenting such spectacles.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of naumachia

1590–1600; <Latin: mock naval battle <Greek naumachía a sea fight, equivalent to naû(s) ship + mách(ē) battle, fight + -ia-ia

Words nearby naumachia

Naugatuck, naught, naughty, naughty nineties, naughty step, naumachia, naumachy, naumannite, nauplius, Nauru, Nauruan

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use naumachia in a sentence

After the Naumachia, the moon rose, and the Chinese lanterns were lighted.
Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)|John Ashton.
The main street itself was in many parts filled completely, and around the Naumachia Augusta great heaps were piled up.
Quo Vadis|Henryk Sienkiewicz
Another form of the spectacle for the entertainment of the Roman public was the naumachia, or naval battle.
The Historical Child|Oscar Chrisman
Sometimes the vast arena was flooded with water, and naumachia or sea-fights were exhibited.
Valeria|William Henry Withrow

In a naumachia given by Nero, there were sea-monsters swimming about in the artificial lake.
Ocean's Story; or Triumphs of Thirty Centuries|Edward Rowland

British Dictionary definitions for naumachia

naumachia

naumachy (ˈnɔːməkɪ)

/ (nɔːˈmeɪkɪə) /

noun plural -chiae (-kɪˌiː), -chias or -chies (in ancient Rome)

a mock sea fight performed as an entertainment

an artificial lake used in such a spectacle

Word Origin for naumachia

C16: via Latin from Greek naumakhia, from naus ship + makhē battle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012